For the first time in several years, Director of South America Work Sam Ajayi was able to visit our churches in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, as well as make his first-ever trip to Uruguay. During the trip, he met several new converts, arranged for some congregations to join combined online church services, met with individuals who are interested in becoming part of the Apostolic Faith, and distributed literature in new areas. Following is a brief report from each country he visited.

Chile

Reverend Ajayi arrived in Chile on April 22. That evening, he traveled with Israel Gajardo, the leader of our work there, and another brother to our Rauco location for a business meeting. After welcoming everyone and extending greetings from the Portland headquarters, Reverend Ajayi was glad to meet some new brethren who had been saved since his last visit. Then the group discussed ways to expand the work in Rauco through evangelism, and also decided to make that location a center for joining combined online services with our other churches in Chile.

After the business meeting, an evangelistic service was held. It began with traditional Chilean-style music featuring mandolins and guitars. As the congregation sang “Onward Christian Soldiers,” the Spirit of God was mightily present. The message was from Genesis 16:7-13, encouraging those present to experience the same transformation that Hagar did so they could also leave rejoicing. The sermon was followed by a good altar service and time of fellowship.

On Wednesday, a church service was held at the Chile headquarters location in Chimbarongo. As in Rauco, there were new people present who had been saved in recent years and added to the congregation. One of these was a woman who said she had not stepped inside a church for thirty years, but in a miraculous way, God spoke to her heart. She came and was saved with her daughter, and now the two of them attend faithfully. Another woman testified that in the past year she had been diagnosed with cancer and was scheduled for surgery. However, just a week before this meeting, the hospital called to say she no longer had cancer. She thanked the Lord and everyone who had been praying for this great news.

The message was taken from Luke 24:13-35 and was about Jesus taking over as He walked the road to Emmaus with two disciples. The congregation was challenged to look to Jesus, because He wants to take over in their lives and give victory. God’s presence was strongly felt throughout the service, and many went to the altars in tears afterward.

Uruguay

Reverend Ajayi said that for a few years now he has been praying for an opportunity to visit Uruguay, and finally that door opened during this trip. On April 26, he took a ferry from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Montevideo, Uruguay. He was accompanied by Walter Gabriel Teves, who is our contact person in Buenos Aires. For the entire day, they had the opportunity to distribute tracts in the business district and the city center. We pray that many will respond to the Gospel message and experience the salvation and holy living that is available through Christ.

Argentina

After leaving Uruguay, on April 27 Reverend Ajayi met with Walter and his family, including his wife, Fatima, and their four daughters. At the meeting, Fatima shared how she came to receive salvation through the serious sickness of her mother. She promised God that if He would heal her mother, she would leave her life of sin. God did heal her mother, and also helped her to keep her promise and get saved. In addition, He later gave her the deeper Christian experiences.

Reverend Ajayi has been in contact with Walter for many years, and at this meeting they established a plan for the Teves family to begin holding Apostolic Faith meetings in their home in Buenos Aires. We pray the Lord will help them spread the Gospel in this location.

Brazil

In Brazil, Reverend Ajayi met first with the pastor of our Sao Paulo congregation, Josias Luiz do Carmo, and his wife, Maria, on April 29. They formulated plans to advance Sunday school and major outreach efforts in the coming year, and also arranged for participation in combined online church services in Brazil.

On May 1 and 2, services were held at our Brazil headquarters in Jurema, a suburb of Fortaleza. At the first meeting, the message was based on Job 35:3, and the congregation was reminded of the many earthly and heavenly advantages that come from having a relationship with God. A good prayer session followed, with many coming forward to be prayed over for healing. Reverend Ajayi said he left Brazil very encouraged that the leaders and brethren there are determined to press forward with zeal in the faith.

Peru

March through May are the wettest months in Iquitos, where an Apostolic Faith Sunday school is located on the Amazon River in the rainforests of northeastern Peru. Upon arrival, Reverend Ajayi was met by a heavy chorus of rain outside, but soon he was enjoying a hearty chorus of songs inside. Following the time of singing, classes were held, with the adult lesson on “Christian Maintenance” led by Modesto Aranda and the children’s lesson on “Honoring and Obeying Mothers” taught by the Iquitos pastor, Clara Aranda. At the close, the children were led in prayer and then served refreshments.

Following Sunday school, everyone reassembled for a brief exhortation from John 5:2-9. The listeners were encouraged that the same God who visited the man at the Pool of Bethesda had visited them in Iquitos to give them eternal life. A time of prayer followed. 

Later in the day, a business meeting was held to discuss the challenges facing the Iquitos congregation. These include the need for improved infrastructure, evangelism, and Christian growth. The saints also expressed appreciation to the Portland headquarters for helping them remodel after flood damage and for providing new chairs.

On May 5, Reverend Ajayi traveled to Chiclayo, which is located on the western coast of Peru. He was expecting to visit the leader of our Peru work, Agustin Quiroz, on his sickbed, but the Lord had raised him up. At Reverend Quiroz’s house, the two met with some pastors who had expressed a desire to become part of the Apostolic Faith. They discussed Bible doctrines, church practices, and leadership structure, and later Reverend Ajayi visited one of their homes and another’s church. Following these visits, they agreed to remain in communication.

At the conclusion of his time in Peru, Reverend Ajayi said he was encouraged to see spiritual growth among all ages there and is praying that the Lord will continue to shine His Light throughout all of South America.